Righthander James Shields spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Tampa Bay Rays before being dealt to the Kansas City Royals this past offseason. And at least one of his former teammates wasn’t sorry to see him go.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria told the Tampa Bay Times that the team is in a better mental state with Shields and longtime center fielder B.J. Upton no longer around (Upton signed with the Atlanta Braves this past offseason).

James Shields already has moved on from his Rays days. (AP Photo)

"There was a lot of history with B.J. and Shields and this organization, and I think there were some things that it was tough for them to get beyond," Longoria told the newspaper. "They were really the only ones that were left in here that were here before the Rays were (renamed) in 2008, when we started to be the team that we are now.

"And I think some of those things kind of stuck around, and as much as you try to instill the new way, some of those things, it was tough to get some of those thoughts out of their head. And so, I think, obviously they were great players, but as far as an over-arching belief in what we try to do here, I think with the new people that we have now, it's a completely new belief in what we're trying to do here."

Shields was confused and disappointed by those comments.

“It’s disappointing,” Shields told The Kansas City Star. “I’m a little bit surprised. Evan is a great player, but I really don’t know what he’s talking about. I really don’t, and I’m being honest with you.”

Longoria implied that Shields and Upton had been around in the dark days of the franchise, before the Rays became perennial playoff contenders. Rays manager Joe Maddon told the Tampa Bay Times that he was unaware of any issue involving Shields or Upton.

Regardless, Shields is ready to move on.

“I don’t know where he was coming from with that, but, frankly, I really don’t care. I’m more worried about the Kansas City Royals, and what we’re doing here,” Shields told The Kansas City Star. “I felt my time in Tampa Bay was a good time. I felt my leadership over there was sufficient. But I’m moving on. This is my team over here.”

Shields pitched well in his Royals debut Monday, allowing one earned run and striking out six batters in six innings.